Students learn beneficial study strategies

By Amy Staples

For The next time you are studying for a test, try dancing.
Sharon Juenemann, a learning skills specialist in the Learning Assistance Center, presented Tuesday afternoon’s student success seminar, Test Taking Strategies. She offered tips to test success, such as get creative with studying. She told a story about studying economics and choreographing a dance with friends to help remember Federal Reserve processes. “I swear, it works,” she said.

When students prepare for a test, they often find they have studied incorrectly for the type of test. Re-reading chapters and notes is helpful for learning information, but testing is about learning and memory, said Juenemann. “You have to practice memory.”

The best way to study for a test depends on the type of test a student is taking, whether it is multiple choice, essay, short answer or demonstration. The study guides at the end of textbook chapters, CD-ROMs included in some texts, and practice test questions are tools students can utilize to prepare for a test. Juenemann said to properly prepare by predicting test questions and then practice the test accordingly, such as, writing essay answers for essay questions, multiple choice problems for multiple choice tests, and so on.

Students that experience test anxiety may not realize the effect this can have on their test performance. “Test anxiety can really impact memory. It can actually shut down parts of your brain,” said Juenemann.

Memory is controlled in the same part of the brain as rational thinking. Test anxiety is an irrational response that triggers the adrenocortical response, or “fight or flight” response, which takes away energy and blood from the rational part.

To combat test anxiety, Juenemann recommends students practice deep breathing, think positive and visualize success. She also said blocking out white noise with earplugs and having something to handle, like a stress ball or a soft scarf, can have a calming effect. “Do whatever it takes to quell anxiety,” she said.

For more information on test taking tips and other ways to improve learning and studying skills, visit the Learning Assistance Center above the library. Specialists are available to help students figure out how to best study, and there are resources on the LAC website at http://www.mhcc.edu/pages/338.asp.